Retreats & Gatherings / Retreats Calendar / Ink & Watercolor: A Restorative Painting Retreat in Portugal

Waves & Watercolor: Painting on the Portuguese Coast

October 24 - 30, 2026

Enjoy five days filled with painting, mindfulness, and community in the charming coastal town of Ericeira, Portugal. Over the course of six immersive workshops, develop your techniques and watch your paintings flourish with expert guidance from Alena Gastaldi. Complement your artistic work with rejuvenating yoga and meditation sessions, breathtaking coastal walks, a day trip to the iconic city of Sintra, and delicious local cuisine and wine.

Trade in the hustle and bustle of everyday life for intentional days filled with creation, mindfulness, and connection. Price starts at โ‚ฌXXXX. With our flexible payment plan, pay in monthly installments. Plus, donโ€™t miss out on our shared room deal - save up to โ‚ฌXXX each when booking for two!

  • ๐ŸŽจ Expert Painting Instruction - Level up your painting skills with Alenaโ€™s informative workshops. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced painter, these workshops will give you space to learn and grow. You will focus on color, developing a deeper understanding of its intricacies and how to effectively observe and capture colors.

    ๐Ÿง˜โ€โ™€๏ธ Guided Wellness Sessions - Start your days with a wellness session designed to wake up your body, mind, and soul through intentional movement and awareness. Whether it be an energizing yoga flow, guided meditation, or breathwork, this is your chance to let go of lifeโ€™s daily stressors and embrace the present moment. Also enjoy a evening sound bathing experience designed to help you find peace and stillness.

    ๐Ÿฐ Day Trip to Sintra - Spend a magical day at Monserrate Palace in Sintra. Inspired by Romanticism, Monserrate has attracted artists and writers over the years. Wander the beautiful estate and lush gardens, and dive into a hands-on workshop at the Palace.

    ๐Ÿฐ Workshop at Mafra Palace - Explore the magnificiant Mafra Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage site is full of culture, history, and art. As you wander the Palaceโ€™s storied hallways and courtyards, sketch and paint the sights around you.

    ๐ŸŒŠ Stunning Coastlines and Nature Walks - Venture on an energizing creative reset amidst the rugged beauty of Portugalโ€™s coastal walking trails. Our Guided Nature Hike will introduce you to beautiful landscapes, help you find inspiration in your surroundings, and allow you to spend quality time with your cohort. Not only will you stroll down the coast, but you will also engage in a workshop right there in the field. Learn how to gather visual information within narrow time constraints, then apply this knowledge in future workshops.

    ๐Ÿท Local Gastronomy and Wine Tasting - Enjoy authentic Portuguese dishes, explore local wines at a beautiful vineyard, and savor the flavors of the region. Treat yourself - you deserve it.

    ๐Ÿ‘‹ Community - Connect with a group of like-minded artists. Learn, explore, and relax together as you immerse yourself in a shared passion in a peaceful and picturesque location.

A brief look at the itinerary:

  • โ€ข No need to stress about transportation - we have it covered. We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to O House, ensuring a stress-free transition.

    โ€ข Settle in, unpack, relax, and enjoy the hotel amenities or explore Ericeiraโ€™s charming streets and stores.

    โ€ข In the evening, weโ€™ll have an opening circle where we will connect and get ready for the days ahead. Then, youโ€™ll enjoy a delicious welcome dinner prepared by our private chef.

  • โ€ข Start your day with an optional wellness session, where you will tap into your inner serenity through a guided yoga, meditation, or breathwork session. Then, help yourself to a tasty continental breakfast.

    โ€ข For your first workshop, improve your ability to see and mix color. These are foundational skills that will bolster all of your future projects. Enjoy a calm and cozy studio setting as you practice new skills.

    โ€ข Relax, chat, and enjoy lunch at O House, prepared by our private chef.

    โ€ข In the afternoon, head to the coast for an inspiring Guided Nature Hike. Stroll on winding paths through fields of wildflowers and cacti while enjoying panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. You will also pause along the way to practice gathering visual information within narrow time constraints. Mastering this ability will allow you to quickly find inspiration for your work.

    โ€ข In the evening, you will have some down time before helping yourself to a hearty dinner cooked in-house by our private chef.

  • โ€ข After breakfast, venture to Sintra, a fairytale town dotted with castles and forests. Explore Monserrate Palace and partake in an onsite workshop.

    โ€ข Enjoy lunch at Monserrate, surrounded by serene gardens and stunning architecture.

    โ€ข In the afternoon, continue to soak up Monserrateโ€™s charm as you wander through the gardens, sketching as you go.

    โ€ข Return to O House for a delicious dinner followed by a peaceful sound bath. Designed to help you relax, this sound bath session is perfect right before bed, helping you ease into rest.

  • โ€ข Stretch out and set an intention for the day in this morningโ€™s wellness session. Then, fuel up with a tasty breakfast.

    โ€ข Venture into downtown Ericeira for a workshop in the field. Capture Praia dos Pescadores, Ericeiraโ€™s fishing harbor, with careful brushstrokes. Play with colors and light as you paint charming storefronts, quaint streets, and tranquil plazas.

    โ€ข Enjoy lunch in town, trying out one of the many fantastic local restaurants. Afterwards, either enjoy free time to explore the village, or participate in an optional group painting session. Enjoy your cohortโ€™s company as you sketch the evening light.

    โ€ข Head back to O House for a tasty dinner.

  • โ€ข Prepare yourself for the day ahead with a meditative wellness session. Wake up your body and mind, ground yourself in the present, and enjoy the beauty of gentle movement.

    โ€ข After breakfast, head to Mafra Palace, an awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through ornate hallways brimming with history, art and culture. Spend some time sketching the palace and its lush courtyards.

    โ€ข Take a break from painting with a delicious lunch at O House.

    โ€ข After lunch, either enjoy some restorative free time, or partake in an optional life model drawing workshop.

    โ€ข Gather in downtown Ericeira for dinner - take your pick from the numerous restaurants and have fun exploring the local cuisine. Watch the sun slip beneath the horizon, marking the end of another fulfilling day.

  • โ€ข Ease into the final day of the retreat with a restorative wellness session.

    โ€ข After breakfast, dive into a studio workshop where you will learn how to design a painting based on gathered visual references. Watch all of your learning from the past four days come together in this final painting design.

    โ€ข Enjoy a satisfying lunch at O House prepared by our private chef.

    โ€ข Celebrate your hard work and learning with a wine tasting at a local vineyard, where you will try delicious Portuguese wines and enjoy your newfound community.

    โ€ข Gather back at O House for a celebratory dinner cooked by our private chef - a moment to share stories, memories, and gratitude.

  • โ€ข Enjoy a slow breakfast together, and take pride in your achievements - over the past five days, you have explored beautiful pockets of Portugal, connected with other passionate artists, and painted beautiful pieces brimming with new learning and inspiration.

    โ€ข We will transfer you to the airport for your departure, ensuring a stress-free transition back into your day-to-day life.

  • Do I need to have previous painting experience?
    Nope! This retreat is designed for all skill-levels.

    What can I expect to learn from these workshops?
    These workshops will cover a variety of techniques, with a focus on color and process. You will learn how to gather visual information quickly and effectively, see and mix color, and how to design a painting.

    Do I need to bring my own materials?
    Nope! We will provide complete painting kits with everything you need for the workshops. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own materials if you would like.

    Do you offer airport transfer? Which airport should I fly into?
    Yes! Airport transfers are included in the ticket price. You should fly into the Lisbon airport, which is only a 40 minute drive from O House.

    What does a typical day look like?
    Although each day looks different, there are some core themes and activities throughout each day of the retreat. Most days start with an optional morning wellness session (a combination of yoga, breathwork, meditation, and sound bathing), allowing you to ease into the morning with movement, intention, and self care. We provide a continental breakfast each day, which is then followed by an art workshop or O House activity. We will then have lunch cooked in-house by our private chef, followed by another activity block, which will either be another workshop, activity, or free time. Finally, we wrap up with dinner and time together as a group.

    How do I reserve my spot?
    We handle all bookings over email. All you have to do is click on one of the โ€œBook Nowโ€ buttons and follow the prompts to send your message. Weโ€™ll be in touch shortly to answer questions and get you all registered!

    How does the Payment Plan work? Provided that you book your spot at least four months in advance, you may choose to take advantage of our payment plan. This plan spreads the payments into monthly installments of equal price. The number of installments depends on how far in advance you book your ticket. Check out more details in our Terms and Conditions, linked below!

    Where can I find your Terms and Conditions?
    For detailed information about our policies, including booking terms, cancellations, and liability, please refer to our full Terms and Conditions. You can access them by clicking here.โ€‹

  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ 6 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches & 5 Dinners โ€” Savor delicious, locally sourced meals prepared by our private chef. From energizing breakfasts to satisfying lunches and exquisite dinners, every dish is crafted to fuel your body and delight your taste buds.

    Note: you will have one lunch and one dinner on you own - this is your chance to take your pick of local restaurants and explore Portugalโ€™s rich flavors.

    ๐Ÿ›๏ธ All Rooms & Amenities โ€” Included in your package is a stay in one of our exclusive suites at O House. Designed with elegance and comfort in mind, these suites feature modern amenities and stylish dรฉcor, providing the perfect sanctuary to relax, recharge, and appreciate the little things.

    ๐Ÿš Seamless Local Transfers โ€” No stress, no hassle! We take care of your transportation to hikes and activities, so you can focus on making the most of your time in paradise.

    โœˆ๏ธ Effortless Airport Transfers โ€” Arrive and depart with ease thanks to our round-trip airport transportation, ensuring a smooth and stress-free start and end.

    ๐Ÿ‘– Laundry Service/Housekeeping โ€” Running out of clean clothes? Weโ€™ve got you covered - weโ€™re happy to launder any clothes that may be need washing.

    ๐ŸŽ Complete Project Kit โ€” No need to stress about bringing supplies - we will provide you with painting swag bags, custom-made for this retreat.

Are you ready to take your painting skills to the next level through expert guidance, all while exploring Portugalโ€™s wonders, renewing your body and mind, and connecting with other passionate artists?
Price starts at โ‚ฌ2,205. With our flexible payment plan, pay in four monthly installments, starting at โ‚ฌ551.25 a month. Donโ€™t miss our shared room deal - save up to โ‚ฌ355 each when booking for two!

Family celebration? Friends reunion? O House Ericeira is the perfect place to comfortably accommodate 22 people.